Twenty-nine modern state homes are replacing 14 ageing homes in Ōpōtiki, providing more whānau in need with a stable place to live.

The new homes are being delivered across three developments: 14 at Balneavis Place and Brabant Street, including four homes delivered in July and 10 completed this month, 12 at Ford Street, and three at Buchanan Street.

A Tā i te kawa (blessing) led by Whakatōhea kaumātua was held this week for the 10 newly completed homes in Balneavis Place and Brabant Street.

One customer, who moved into one of the first new homes completed at Balneavis Place and Brabant Street in July, said having a stable home had made a huge difference after an incredibly difficult period in his life.

“I recently lost my partner and within weeks found myself homeless, so having a secure, healthy home means everything to me at this point in my life. Finding out I was being helped into a new, clean and safe home brought me to tears. It had been an unreal, hard time, and when I was given the keys, it felt like a lifetime of weight on my shoulders evaporated into thin air.

“The new whare is awesome, and I can’t wait for my mokos to come and stay. There’s nothing like a warm floor and a dry roof, that’s for sure.

“Now I’m settled in, I’m looking forward to getting on with my life and enjoying each day as it comes. I’m incredibly humbled and appreciative of everyone who helped me get to this point.”

The new homes being delivered in Ōpōtiki include a range of sizes to meet different whānau needs.

The 12 new homes in Ford Street include a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes and one five-bedroom home. A few blocks away at Buchanan Street, two two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom home are also under construction. Both developments are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The developments are part of the nationwide housing renewals programme of Kāinga Ora, which will see around 2000 older homes replaced or significantly renovated each year over the next few years.

Kāinga Ora regional director Bay of Plenty Mark Rawson said the developments would help meet the ongoing need for housing in Ōpōtiki.

“Replacing older state homes with more modern homes on the same land means we can house more local whānau and provide them with a stable place to call home.

“We acknowledge the ongoing support of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea and the collaborative work with local partners in supporting these developments, our customers and the wider community. We’ve also appreciated their guidance in naming the new roads in a way that recognises the history and whakapapa of the area,” Rawson said.

Names connect new homes to local history

Along with new social housing, the developments have also resulted in two new roads, which Kāinga Ora has worked with Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea to name, with the names provided by Whakatōhea rangatira and tohunga Dr Te Riaki Amoamo.

At Balneavis Place/Brabant Street, a new road has been named Pākōwhai Crescent, after the original village now recognised as Ōpōtiki township. At Ford Street, Ngāi Tū Lane recognises the ancient iwi from which Whakatōhea descends.

Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea iwi development manager Danny Paruru said the names helped keep the area’s history and whakapapa visible.

“Pākōwhai and Ngāi Tū carry important stories about this place and our people. These names ensure those stories are carried forward for the whānau who will make their homes here.”

Once the Ngāi Tū Lane and Buchanan Street homes are completed, Kāinga Ora will have delivered 59 new state homes in Ōpōtiki since November 2023, bringing the town’s total number of state homes to 129.